Characterisation of the antenna‑like gain pattern of Rydberg receivers

Characterize and model the reception (gain) pattern of Rydberg‑vapour‑cell receivers across detection frequency, optical beam geometry, and cell design to enable quantitative comparison with classical RF front‑ends.

Background

For practical system integration, the spatial reception characteristics of Rydberg receivers must be understood and engineered, especially where phase‑matching imposes directional sensitivity. The review highlights that, beyond proof‑of‑concepts, this aspect remains insufficiently studied.

A comprehensive gain‑pattern characterisation would support antenna‑system co‑design, inform array architectures, and clarify trade‑offs between sensitivity, bandwidth, and spatial selectivity.